Irrigation aid

ABSTRACT

A irrigation aid for a water harvesting device comprising: a housing; at least one inlet incorporated into one side of the housing; an outlet incorporated into the housing and adapted to attach to at least one irrigation line; and a transfer mechanism adapted to transfer water from the at least one inlet through the housing to the outlet. The transfer mechanism may include a plurality of fins to direct the water received from a rainwater tank through the inlet and transfer mechanism to the outlet and irrigation lines. The irrigation aid may further include a level measuring device and may further include either pressured water line water or solar cells to drive the transfer mechanism.

FIELD

The present document relates generally to an irrigation aid. More particularly, the present document relates to an irrigation aid for use with a water harvester rain barrel, or similar devices.

BACKGROUND

It can be appreciated that water irrigation devices have been around for years. The purpose of these devices is to distribute water from an incoming water source in manner that vegetation can receive water needed to grow. Water harvesting devices, more commonly known as rain barrels, have also been around for years. They are used primarily to store rainwater collected through water harvesting systems such as those found in an eaves system directed into a rainwater storage tank or barrel. These devices are gaining popularity, increasingly being used by homeowners, gardeners or anyone who wishes to conserve water and store rainwater for later use, such as for watering gardens and other vegetation. While irrigation devices and rainwater units are readily available in the market, there lacks adequate devices to combine the use of them together in an economically viable manner. One issue surrounding the combining of rainwater collecting, storage and distribution for irrigation purposes is that in order to implement a proper system, expensive pumps may be required.

Many systems may require expensive pump systems, as there may be inadequate pressure to properly distribute the water to the desired locations several feet away from a water tank of a water harvester or rain barrel. The water stored in the water tank often needs to be fed to gardens a distance away from the water harvesting device. Currently, some water harvesting devices are provided with spigots so the user can fill a watering can and take that water to the desired location. This spigot may be required because rainwater tanks, by themselves, do not have sufficient pressure to direct the water to a desired location.

Irrigation devices, such as sprinklers and hose systems, are available but they often require to be hooked into the pressured water line carrying city or well water. These systems serve the purpose of irrigation but many gardeners may prefer rainwater due to its costs and environmental appeal. Large rainwater tanks are available with pump systems; however, these are often expensive and not a preferred choice for an individual consumer.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a device that works with rainwater collection systems and provides irrigation capability without the requirement of an expensive pump system.

SUMMARY

There is a need for a complete, turnkey system that provides lower purchase costs and suits the need of most irrigation requirements, gardens for example. There needs to be an irrigation system that can integrate rainwater into the irrigation system without having to go to the expense of installing a large, expensive tanks and/or pumping system.

In one aspect, there is provide an irrigation aid for a water harvesting device comprising: a housing; at least one inlet incorporated into one side of the housing; an outlet incorporated into the housing and adapted to attach to at least one irrigation line; and a transfer mechanism adapted to transfer water from the at least one inlet through the housing to the outlet.

In another aspect, the transfer mechanism may include a plurality of fins to direct the water received from a rainwater tank through the inlet and transfer mechanism to the outlet and irrigation lines.

In a further aspect, the irrigation aid may include a level measuring device and may further include either pressured water line water or solar cells to drive the transfer mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present water harvesting irrigation aid will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein;

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art water harvesting device;

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the irrigation aid;

FIG. 3A is a multi-sectioned illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B illustrates the irrigation aid of 3A with an modified flow of output water;

FIG. 3C illustrates the irrigation aid of 3A using only one flow of water;

FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the irrigation aid;

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view with cut-out of the irrigation aid of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of the irrigation aid;

FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment with a level measuring device and high water level;

FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment with a level measuring device and a lower water level;

FIG. 6C illustrates an alternative embodiment of a level measuring device in a flow chart diagram; and

FIG. 7A illustrates a further embodiment of the irrigation aid; and

FIG. 7B illustrates the embodiment of the irrigation aid in 7 a with components in a flow chart diagram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art water harvesting device 1, such as a rain barrel, with a rainwater tank 10. The water harvesting device 1 is shown in position at a residential home to which it can be installed onto or incorporated into. In the description below, the water harvesting device is frequently referred to as a rain barrel and should not be considered to be limited to a water harvesting device in a barrel shape, as the irrigation aid described below may be amended to be incorporated with other shapes and styles of water harvesting devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the irrigation aid 5 in an installed position. The irrigation aid 5 is shown attached onto the rainwater tank 10. The irrigation aid 5 comprises inlets 14, 16, a housing 18 and an outlet 22. The rainwater tank 10 provides a source of incoming water and the outlet 22 may be connected to the irrigation line or lines that feed water to an area requiring watering. The inlet 16 on the irrigation aid 5 permits connection with a pressured water line 24. The water line 24 may be a standard garden hose connected to an outdoor faucet in a residential water line. The pressured water line 24 provides pressure to the irrigation aid 5 and this pressure provides a power assist that in turn draws water from the rainwater tank 10, as will be described in more detail below It will be understood that the irrigation aid may be connected to the rainwater tank with a male to female connection incorporated into the rainwater tank 10 and inlet 14. Other methods of connection are contemplated and would be known in the art.

In one embodiment, the directional water flow may be controlled through the construction or shape of the housing 18 for continued exertion through the outlet 22. The water exiting the housing 18 may be a mixture of the water from the inlets 14 and 16. The mixture may either be a predetermined fixed ratio or may be adjustable using an adjustor 30, as described below. The system thereby enables rainwater to be used in an irrigating system that can service many irrigation needs. The outlet 22 may be configured in various arrangements to suit the application and may include manifold systems, irrigation hoses, garden hose, sprinkler line, etc.

FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of the irrigation aid 5 in further detail. The housing 18 has an input side with inlets 14 and 16, where the inlet 14 may receive the water from rainwater tank 10 and the inlet 16 may receive water from the pressured water line 24. The pressurized water enters the housing 18 from the inlet 16 and contacts a transfer mechanism, which may be a rotating carriage 32. The transfer mechanism may be attached via a shaft or connecting rod (not shown) that will allow the transfer mechanism to rotate freely within the housing 18. The water flow is as indicated by the arrows in the illustration. The rotating carriage 32 may be divided into two separate sections by a divider 36. The rotating carriage 32 may further incorporate a plurality of fins 34. The rotating carriage may be a single piece or may comprise two separate rotating pieces. Each piece may have solid ends, and where these ends are connected a divider may be formed. In another embodiment the divider may be a separate part and the rotating carriage may be either a single piece or multiple pieces.

The plurality of fins 34, incorporated on the rotating carriage 32, may be located on both sides of the divider 36. The pressurized water from the pressured water line 24 pushes against the fins 34 and creates a rotational motion within the rotating carriage 32 to drive the water from the inlets though the housing towards the outlet. Preferably, the fins 34 will be formed in a different configuration on either side of the divider 36. The fins 34 a designed to receive water from the rainwater tank inlet 14 may be angled in such a manner as to create an impeller motion and to direct water from the inlet 14 to the outlet 22. The fins 34 b designed to receive water from the pressured water lined may have a different curve in that they are formed to drive the rotating carriage 32. In one embodiment, fins 34 b may be more densely positioned on the rotating carriage 32 to allow for a greater drive, while the fins 34 a designed to receive rainwater may be more sparsely positioned to allow for a greater quantity of water to emerge from the rainwater tank or the opposite could be true. In another embodiment, the same number of fins may be on both sides of the rotating carriage. Other fin configurations are contemplated and fins may be the same throughout the rotating carriage but the power to water ratio may be reduced.

The rotational motion of the rotating carriage 32 preferable creates a turbine like motion or centrifugal force pump, which draws water from inlet 14, through the housing 18 and into outlet 22, resulting in rainwater being pumped out or drawn out of the rainwater tank 10. Some pressure may already be available from the rainwater tank 10 as a result of water height levels, forcing the rainwater into the housing 18 but the side of the rotating carriage 32 attached to the pressure water line may increase or enhance this pressure.

By illustration of arrows exiting the housing 18, it is seen that the water entering the irrigation line 26 through the outlet 22 may be a mixture that includes rainwater conserved in the tank and pressured water from line 24, thereby powering the systems effectively enabling rainwater to be integrated into an irrigation line using a simple cost effective means. The rotational motion of the fins may create a power assist, which increases the pressure or power in the system so that the mixture has sufficient pressure to be positioned or pumped into the desired location requiring water, therefore, enabling transfer of water from a rainwater tank into an irrigation application with adequate pressure.

In a further, more complex form of the irrigation aid, diverters or timers may be employed but for simpler forms, flow control may be implemented via a “Y” type converging channel in the housing 18, to bring two incoming inlets to one outgoing outlet. Flow control may be largely dependant on the specific irrigation application. Some systems for small gardens, hanging baskets may not require complex flow control whereas larger systems for larger gardens may required more sophisticated flow control such as valves, timers, shut-offs etc. Auxiliary connections refer to the connections required for purposes such as power assist or flow control that may be separated from, or designed to work in conjunction with, the water flow and the housing and rotating carriage.

Users may adjust the ratio of rainwater to pressured water line water through the adjustor 30, in effect providing users with the increased capability of replacing amounts of costly city supplied water with free, collected rainwater for their irrigation needs. The adjustor 30 may control the outlet portion by moving the divider 36 in a position that allows more water to exit from one side of the divider 36 than the other. The adjuster 30 may be designed to allow for axial movement of the divider 36 so a user may move the adjuster 30 in this axial movement and the divider 36, or the rotating carriage 32 with the divider 36, may shift according to the movement and allow for either more or less rain water to be released in relation to the pressured water line water. FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate the divider 36 in shifted positions allowing for various ratios of rain water in relation to pressured line water. Users may wish to increase rainwater percentage relative to the amount available in the rainwater tank 10 and, for example, reduce the percentage of rainwater used when rainwater is less available.

Shut-off control 28, illustrated in FIG. 3 as a ball valve, may permit the water flow to be opened or closed, either by a user or through an automatic control system. Other shut-off control mechanisms are possible, including but not limited to, a gate wall or other plumbing valves.

Flow control may also be controlled with automatic controls (not shown) to predetermined time intervals or in predetermined quantities to better control water conservation and is further described below and illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of an irrigation aid 60 while FIG. 4B shows a perspective view with a cut-out of the irrigation aid 60. The inlet 62 may be adapted to connect to a hose or other pressured water line as in the previous embodiment. The water from the pressured water line may enter through the inlet 62 and into the input water compartment 64 of the irrigation aid. The pressurized water will hit a transfer mechanism such as an input rotating carriage 66, which may include a plurality of fins 68. The fins may be curved in such a manner as to direct the water from the inlet 62 to a rain barrel outlet 70. The pressurized water will cause the input rotating carriage 66 to rotate and the water may then exit the input water compartment 64 of the irrigation device into the rain barrel through the outlet 70, in this one barrel embodiment. If the water harvesting device contains multiple rainwater tanks the connections between the outlets and inlets will be adjusted accordingly.

The input water compartment 64 of the irrigation aid 60 is further designed to house the input rotating carriage 66 and will have a compartment lid 72 or other closure that will allow the input water compartment 64 to encapsulate the input rotating carriage 66. The input rotating carriage 66 will be able to rotate freely inside the input water compartment 64.

The rotational movement of the input water carriage 66 causes a shaft 74 connecting rod, which is also attached to a rain barrel rotating carriage 76, to rotate. The shaft 74 may be keyed in specific areas such that the keyed areas may grip and form a locking area with a central aperture of the input rotating carriage 66 and a central aperture of the rain barrel rotating carriage 76. This rotational movement of the shaft 74 will cause the rain barrel rotating carriage 76 to rotate as well to draw water from the rain barrel through the inlet 78 into the rain barrel water compartment 80. The rain barrel rotating carriage 76 may be housed within the rain barrel water compartment 80 and may be allowed to rotate freely within this compartment. Bearings 86 a, 86 b may also be provided between either rotating carriage and the compartment components to support the shaft 74 and ensure that there is no shift in the position of either rotating carriage 66, 76.

The rain barrel rotating carriage 76 may further incorporate a plurality of fins 82 designed to guide water from the inlet 78 to an outlet 84. The size and angle of these fins 82 may depend on where the inlet 78 and outlet 84 are located on the rain barrel water compartment 80. The outlet 84 may be configured to engage a watering hose or other irrigation devices. A shut-off control (not shown) may also be incorporated into the outlet 84 of the rain barrel water compartment 80.

It should be understood that the input water compartment 64 and the rain barrel water compartment 80 need not be two separate pieces as shown in FIG. 4 and may be an single integrated housing with a divider. If a single housing is used, it should be understood that the rotating carriage may be a single rotating carriage with an incorporated divider or a single rotating carriage could be used with a divider being a separate piece.

In this embodiment the water from the pressured water line is allowed to enter and mix with the rain barrel water prior to being used as the irrigation water. This further mixing process may allow the temperature to normalize with the air temperature prior to being used to water a specific area. Further, by having the pressured water line water enter the rain barrel or other water harvesting device, the pressured water line water may have time to gas-off, which may make the water more beneficial to the vegetation. Further, having the pressured water line water enter the rain barrel may ensure that there is always water within the rain barrel even if there has been no rain for a period of time.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment with many similar components as FIGS. 4A and 4B. In this embodiment, the input water compartment 64 may house the input rotating carriage 66. A plurality of hemispherical or scoop-like shaped fins 88 incorporated on the input rotating carriage 66 may direct the water from the inlet 62 to the rain barrel 70. The fins 88 may be arranged in other configurations as previously discussed. The input water compartment 64 may have a separate lid 72 that may be attached to the input water compartment. The input water compartment may have a separate seal 90 or the seal may be included as part of the input water compartment 64 or the lid 72.

In this embodiment the rain barrel rotating carriage 76 may be driven by a set of gears 92 a and 92 b. The rotational motion of the input rotating carriage 66, attached to a shaft 94 a or connecting rod will drive the first gear 92 a, which will cause the second gear 92 b to rotate and with it rotate a second shaft 94 b or connecting rod. The rain barrel rotating carriage 76 is connected to the second shaft and will rotate with the rotational movement of the second shaft 94 b. Preferably, the first gear 92 a is larger than the second gear 92 b to allow for greater rotational movement of the rain barrel rotating carriage 76 with respect to the input rotating carriage 66. It will be understood that various sizes of gears may be used and that the set of gears may be the same size; although, there may be power consequences if the same size gears are used.

FIG. 5 further illustrates bearing 86 b, designed to support and position the rain barrel rotating carriage 76, as well as an o-ring 96, which may protect the gear system and separate the gear system from the other components. Other means of support and protection are contemplated and would be known in the art. As above, although the input water compartment and rain barrel water compartment are shown as separate housing pieces, a single piece housing could be used, as could a single piece rotating carriage.

The flow control of the embodiments shown in the FIGS. 3 to 5 may also be automatically controlled by data retrieved from a level measuring device, which may be either a mechanical or electrical device as illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C. This level measuring device may be more suited to the embodiments in FIGS. 3A to 3C where the pressured line water does not enter the rainwater tank although may also be implemented into the other tanks for situations for when the output of water is at a greater level than the input thus reducing the level of water in the rainwater tank.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the rainwater tank 10 may be adapted to contain a float 100. The float 100 may be inserted after market through a hole in the top of the rainwater tank 10 or may be incorporated into the rainwater tank prior to being sold to a consumer. The float may be attached to one end of a string 102, flexible wire or like material, which is then attached through a pulley mechanism 104 and has a weight 106 attached to the other end of the string 102. As the water level in the rainwater tank 10 lowers, the float 100 will also begin to lower. The lowering of the float will raise the weight 106 and drive a Rack and Pinion mechanism 108. The Rack and Pinion mechanism 108 may automatically control the divider of the irrigation aid as well as the rainwater tank water entering an inlet and hit a transfer mechanism, such as the inlet 14 and the rotating carriage 32 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C. As the rainwater tank 10 level reduces, for example, the Rack and Pinion mechanism 108 may shift the divider and allow more pressured water line water into the output mixture and less of the rainwater tank water.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the level measuring device may be electrical as opposed to mechanical in nature. The float 100 may reside within a rainwater tank and the rainwater tank may incorporate sensors (not shown), which allow the float to determine the current rainwater tank water level. This information may be relayed through a transducer 110 to a solenoid 112. The solenoid may then drive the transfer mechanism 114 and may shift the divider of the transfer mechanism 114 depending on the level in the rainwater tank. As above, if the water level of the rainwater tank is low, the solenoid may drive the divider to allow more pressured water line water and less rainwater tank water.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the irrigation aid with or without a level measuring device may be installed to a multiple rainwater tank system having been provided the appropriate connections such as tandem kits or through other connecting means known in the art.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrates an alternate embodiment of the rainwater irrigation aid 40. The rainwater irrigation aid 40 comprises an inlet 42, a housing 44 and an outlet 46. In this embodiment, the inlet 42 is connected to the rainwater tank 10 only, and may be the sole channel of water. This system would allow for the provision of 100% rainwater usage as may be desired by some users. Outlet 46 is connected to the irrigation line or lines 52 similar to the other embodiments. The rainwater irrigation aid 40 also comprises a power assist by way of a motor working in conjunction with, and inside, the housing 44. The motor provides the power assist for the incoming water retrieving energy from solar cells 54 located on the large surfaces of the rainwater tank 10. Energy from the solar cells 54 may be stored in a chargeable batter pack 55. This battery pack 55 may be used to power both a motor 57 that may drive a transfer mechanism such as a rotating carriage in this embodiment. The rotating carriage may be a single sided rotating carriage, as its rotational motion will be driven by the motor 57 and not by a pressured water line. Power from the chargeable battery pack 55 may also be used to power a user interface 56 and any timers associated with the irrigation aid.

Inside the rainwater irrigation aid 40, there may be a timer system from which the water be released in timed intervals and with preset or user set quantities. The user can control the system via user interface 56.

The rainwater irrigation aid 40 may also comprise a rainwater tank fill option (not shown) so that during extreme dry spells, when rainwater is not available, city water can be filled into the rainwater tank 10. The storage of this water in the tank over time provides the opportunity for water temperature to normalize from colder temperatures and for chlorine in the water to gas-off and be ready for the next watering. Warmer water and minimization of chlorine and other inherent chemicals are desired for some sensitive vegetation.

With respect to the above description then, it is realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present document.

Therefore the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the irrigation aid. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the embodiments. 

1. An irrigation aid for a water harvesting device comprising: a housing; at least one inlet incorporated into one side of the housing; an outlet incorporated into the housing and adapted to attach to at least one irrigation line; and a transfer mechanism adapted to transfer water from the at least one inlet through the housing to the outlet.
 2. The irrigation aid in claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a plurality of fins.
 3. The irrigation aid in claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises an input rotating carriage and an output rotating carriage.
 4. The irrigation aid of claim 3, wherein the input rotating carriage and the output rotating carriage both comprise a plurality of fins.
 5. The irrigation aid in claim 1, wherein one of the at least one inlets is connected to a rainwater tank of the water harvesting device.
 6. The irrigation aid in claim 1, wherein one of the at least one inlets is connected to a pressured water line.
 7. The irrigation aid in claim 1, wherein the irrigation aid further comprises a level measuring device.
 8. A harvested rainwater irrigation aid comprising; a rain water inlet; an outlet for connection with one or more irrigation lines; a water transfer means between; and a means to provide power assisted irrigation.
 9. A harvested rainwater irrigation aid as in claim 8, wherein said power assist means is a pressurized water line.
 10. A harvested rainwater irrigation aid as in claim 8, wherein said power assist means is a motor.
 11. A harvested rainwater irrigation aid as in claim 10, wherein said power assist means draws power from a solar powered system.
 12. A harvested rainwater irrigation aid as in claim 8, further comprising a user flow control means.
 13. A harvested rainwater irrigation aid as in claim 8, further comprising the user flow control means including a timer for release of water at times intervals.
 14. A harvested rainwater irrigation aid as in claim 8, further comprising the user flow control means including a selected amount of water to be released.
 15. A harvested rainwater irrigation aid as in claim 8 further comprising: a plurality of solar cells; a chargeable battery to store the energy from the solar cells; and a motor to drive the water transfer means.
 16. A water irrigation aid comprising; a water inlet; an outlet for connection with one or more irrigation lines; and a means to provide power assisted irrigation. 